Travel cooler with collapsible sidewalls

ABSTRACT

A travel cooler includes a wheeled platform and an insulated container configured to be selectively coupled to and uncoupled from the wheeled platform. The wheeled platform comprises a base, a plurality of wheels mounted to the base and a first coupling component. The insulated container includes a second coupling component. The first and second coupling components are disengaged from one another when the insulated container is uncoupled from the wheeled platform. The first and second coupling components are disposed in interlocking engagement when the insulated container is coupled to the wheeled platform, whereby the insulated container is securely coupled to the wheeled platform in fixed disposition relative thereto for safe transportation on the wheeled platform. The base defines a container receiving recess within which a bottom portion of the insulated container is received when the insulated container is coupled to the wheeled platform.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a U.S. continuation patent application of,and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to, U.S. nonprovisional patentapplication Ser. No. 13/608,881, filed Sep. 10, 2012, whichnonprovisional patent application published as U.S. patent applicationpublication Ser. No. ______, which patent application and any patentapplication publications thereof are incorporated by reference herein,and which '881 application is a U.S. continuation application of, andclaims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to, U.S. nonprovisional patentapplication Ser. No. 12/711,236, filed Feb. 23, 2010, abandoned, which'236 application published as U.S. patent application publication no.2010/0154464, which '236 application and corresponding publication areincorporated by reference herein, and which '236 application is a U.S.continuation-in-part patent application of, and claims priority under§120 to, U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 12/236,636,filed Sep. 24, 2008, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,677,581, which '636application and corresponding patent are incorporated by referenceherein, and which '636 application is a U.S. continuation applicationof, and claims priority under §120 to, U.S. nonprovisional patentapplication Ser. No. 12/127,011, filed May 27, 2008, now issued as U.S.Pat. No. 7,458,590, which '011 application and corresponding patent areincorporated by reference herein, and which '011 application is a U.S.continuation application of, and claims priority under §120 to, U.S.nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 11/380,199, filed Apr. 25,2006, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,387,305, which '199 application andcorresponding patent are incorporated by reference herein, and which'199 application is a U.S. nonprovisional application of, and claimspriority under §119(e) to, provisional patent application 60/674,622,filed Apr. 25, 2005, the entire disclosure of which provisionalapplication is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyrightprotection under the copyright laws of the United States and of othercountries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimilereproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure,as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records,or other governmental authority or agency, but otherwise reserves allcopyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When spending a day at the beach, a family or group generally has manyitems that they wish to take with them to the beach. Such items mayinclude towels, chairs, umbrellas, games, lotions and sun screenproducts, food and beverages, and the like.

It is often the situation that transporting the desired items to thebeach is inconvenient and cumbersome. Indeed, it often requires manytrips back and forth from a car or hotel room to a particular spot onthe beach.

Various mobile devices are known that can aid in such transport.However, such known devices generally comprise either a wheeled cart fortransporting non-perishable items, such as towels, chairs, etc., or awheeled cooler for transporting perishable items, such as food andbeverages. Such known devices do not generally include a mobile devicethat is capable of transporting both non-perishable items as well asperishable items, and such known devices generally do not include asufficient capacity to transport all, or even most, of the items that afamily or group will need for a day-long outing at the beach in a singletrip. Rather, a person generally still has to make multiple trips fromthe originating location, e.g., car or hotel room, to the destinationlocation, e.g., spot at the beach.

An additional drawback to known devices is that such devices generallyrequire a large amount of storage space when not used. Such mobiledevices are typically stored in a garage, storage shed or closet whennot in use because of the bulk of the devices. Further, these mobiledevices take up relatively large amounts of space whenever they aretransported for use. This is particularly disadvantageous when themobile devices are packed into the family car when going on the familyvacation at the beach. Because they are so large and bulky, they tend toconsume a large portion of the available space in the car, therebylimiting the other items that can be taken on the vacation. In additionto being disadvantageous for consumers, such devices also are lessdesirable to retailers, who have limited shelf space on which to displaygoods for sale.

One of the known devices is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,097 toTreppedi et al., which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Themobile carrying device of Treppedi comprises a cooler that includes skirunners and wheels in combination to aid in mobility of the cooler. Italso includes an extendable, pivoting handle that may be retracted andstored adjacent the cooler. Cargo nets are attached to the top and sideof the cooler for storage of supplies such as towels, plates and cups.The mobile cooler also includes a retainer attached to a side of thecooler for holding an umbrella.

Another known device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,176,499 to Conrado,which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The mobile carryingdevice of Conrado is a mobile cooler that includes a cooler body withwheels and a pivoted towing handle having two grips for users of varyingheights. The underside of the cooler lid has a recess with a cover panelfor storing items separately from other items in the cooler. The coolerincludes a table assembly operable independently of the cooler lid sothat the table may be utilized whether the lid is open or closed. Thecooler also includes retractable bungee cords for securing items to thecooler.

The devices of Treppedi and Conrado are exemplary of the shortcomings ofthe known devices previously discussed herein. Specifically, thesedevices do not provide sufficient capacity for transporting the numberof items to be used for a family or group during a day at the beach.Furthermore, these devices do not have a storage configuration that issmaller in volume than their use configuration.

Collapsible insulated containers also are known which may be utilizedfor storage of perishable items and that have a storage configurationthat is smaller in volume than their use configuration. Such knowndevices are disclosed, for example, by U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,347,060;4,085,785; 4,091,852; and 4,612,781, each of which is herebyincorporated herein by reference. However, such known devices do notinclude design features that aid in mobility of the devices, let alonedesign features that aid in the transport of non perishable items suchas towels, chairs, umbrellas, games, lotions and sun screen products.

Accordingly, a need exists for a mobile device that can be used totransport both non-perishable and perishable items and that has enoughcapacity to transport a sufficient amount of such items for a day at thebeach. Moreover, a need exists for a mobile device that is capable oftransporting a relatively large number of both perishable andnon-perishable items and that has a storage configuration that issubstantially smaller in dimensions than its use configuration.

One or more such needs are met by one or more travel coolers inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes many aspects and features.

First Aspect of the Invention

A travel cooler in accordance with a first aspect of the inventionincludes a wheeled platform and an insulated container configured to beselectively coupled to and uncoupled from the wheeled platform. Thewheeled platform comprises a base, a plurality of wheels mounted to thebase for rolling movement of the platform and a first coupling componentfixedly disposed on the base. The insulated container includes a secondcoupling component fixedly disposed on the container. The first andsecond coupling components are disengaged from one another when theinsulated container is uncoupled from the wheeled platform. The firstand second coupling components are disposed in interlocking engagementwhen the insulated container is coupled to the wheeled platform, wherebythe insulated container is securely coupled to the wheeled platform infixed disposition relative thereto for safe transportation on thewheeled platform. The base defines a container receiving recess withinwhich a bottom portion of the insulated container is received when theinsulated container is coupled to the wheeled platform.

In a feature of this aspect, the base includes a peripheral walldefining the container receiving recess. It is preferred that theperipheral wall define a profile that matches a profile of the outerperiphery of the insulated container such that the peripheral wallextends in close proximity to the outer periphery of the insulatedcontainer when the insulated container is coupled to the wheeledplatform. It is further preferred that the peripheral wall completelyencircles the outer periphery of the insulated container when theinsulated container is coupled to the wheeled platform.

In another feature of this aspect, the wheeled platform extends belowand beyond the insulated container such that no portion of the insulatedcontainer extends laterally beyond an edge of the wheeled platform.

In yet another feature of this aspect, the first and second couplingcomponents are configured to snap into interlocking engagement with oneanother.

In still yet another feature of this aspect, the insulated containerfurther includes a wall, and the second coupling component is fixedlydisposed on the wall. With further regard to this feature, the wallcomprises a bottom wall of the insulated container. In accordance withthis feature, the first coupling component is disposed on a top surfaceof the base. It is preferred that the insulated container furtherincludes a drain conduit, and the base includes an opening configured toreceive the drain conduit therein when the insulated container iscoupled to the wheeled platform.

In a feature of this aspect, the insulated container comprises aninflatable wall. It is a further feature of this aspect that the wheelsof the base consist of a pair of coaxial wheels. It is yet a furtherfeature that the insulated container comprises inflatable sidewalls andat least one valve for filing the inflatable walls with air.

In a variation of this aspect, the travel cooler comprises a wheeledplatform and an insulated container. The wheeled platform includes abase, a plurality of wheels mounted to the base for rolling movement ofthe platform, and a first plurality of coupling components fixedlydisposed on the base. The insulated container is configured to beselectively coupled to, and uncoupled from, the wheeled platform andincludes a second plurality of coupling components fixedly disposed onthe container. Each of the first plurality of coupling components isdisengaged from a respective one of the second plurality of couplingcomponents when the insulated container is uncoupled from the wheeledplatform. Each of the first plurality of coupling components is disposedin interlocking engagement with a respective one of the second pluralityof coupling components when the insulated container is coupled to thewheeled platform, whereby the insulated container is securely coupled tothe wheeled platform in fixed disposition relative thereto for safetransportation on the wheeled platform. The base defines a containerreceiving recess within which a bottom portion of the insulatedcontainer is received when the insulated container is coupled to thewheeled platform.

In a feature of this variation of the aspect, the first plurality ofcoupling components is configured to snap into interlocking engagementwith the second plurality of coupling components. In accordance withthis feature, the insulated container further includes a bottom wall andthe plurality of second coupling components are fixedly disposed on thebottom wall proximate to a perimeter of the bottom wall. In furtheranceof this feature, the first plurality of coupling components is disposedon a top surface of the base with the first plurality of couplingcomponents being disposed in the same arrangement relative to oneanother as the arrangement of the second plurality of couplingcomponents. It is preferred that the insulated container furtherincludes a drain conduit, that the base includes an opening configuredto receive the drain conduit therein when the insulated container iscoupled to the wheeled platform, and that the first plurality ofcoupling components encircle the opening in the base. It is furtherpreferred that the insulated container comprises inflatable sidewallsand at least one valve for filing the inflatable walls with air.

In another variation of this aspect, the travel cooler comprises awheeled platform, an insulated container, and means for selectivelycoupling and uncoupling the wheeled platform and the insulatedcontainer, whereby the insulated container can be securely coupled tothe wheeled platform for safe transportation on the wheeled platform.The wheeled platform includes a base and a plurality of wheels mountedto the base for rolling movement of the platform. The base defines acontainer receiving recess within which a bottom portion of theinsulated container is received when the insulated container is coupledto the wheeled platform.

Second Aspect of the Invention

A travel cooler in accordance with a second aspect of the inventionincludes a wheeled platform and an insulated container. The wheeledplatform includes a base and a plurality of wheels mounted to the basefor rolling movement of the platform. The insulated container includesan inflatable wall and a valve for inflating of the wall. The insulatedcontainer is disposed on the base in fixed disposition relative to thebase for safe transportation of the insulated container on the wheeledplatform.

In a variation of this aspect, the travel cooler comprises a wheeledplatform and an insulated container. The wheeled platform includes abase, a handle attached to the base, and a plurality of wheels mountedto the base for rolling movement of the platform by the handle. Theinsulated container includes inflatable sidewalls and at least one valvefor inflating of the sidewalls. The insulated container is disposed onthe base in fixed disposition relative to the base for safetransportation of the insulated container on the wheeled platform.

In a feature of this variation of the aspect, the insulated containerincludes a non-inflatable, rigid bottom wall. In a further feature ofthis variation, the sidewalls include non-pleated, smooth exteriorsurfaces.

In yet another feature of this variation, the inflatable sidewallscomprise a single, inflatable bladder, and the bladder comprises asubstantially air impermeable, flexible material that defines an innerwall and an outer wall with an enclosed space extending there betweenfor receiving air. In accordance with this feature, the bladder is in aninflated condition when the enclosed space has been substantially filledwith air, and the bladder is in a collapsed condition when air issubstantially absent from the enclosed space. It is preferred that thetravel cooler consumes a significantly smaller space for storage whenthe bladder is in the collapsed condition than when the bladder is inthe inflated condition.

In an additional feature of this variation, the plurality of wheelsmounted to the base consists of a pair of wheels mounted to the base,and the handle is configured in the attachment to the base to impart tothe base, inter alia, pivoting movement about an axis of the pair ofwheels.

In another feature of this variation, the plurality of wheels mounted tothe base comprises a pair of wheels mounted proximate one end of opposedrear and front ends of the base. In accordance with this feature, thehandle is attached to the base between the plurality of wheels and theone end of the base.

In furtherance of this variation, the sidewalls completely encircle aninterior, insulated space of the insulated cooler for storing perishablefood items.

In yet another feature of this variation, the insulated container isattached to the base by a plurality of fasteners. It is preferred thatthe plurality of fasteners comprises snap fasteners.

In accordance with this variation, the insulated container furthercomprises a rigid, non-inflatable rim that is coextensive with a top ofthe inflatable sidewalls and to which the inflatable sidewalls areattached. It is preferred that the sidewalls are attached to the rim bya first plurality of fasteners whereby the rim is removable from thesidewalls. It is further preferred that the first plurality of fastenerscomprises snap fasteners. In accordance with this feature, the insulatedcontainer is attached to the base by a second plurality of fastenerswhereby the insulated container is removable from the base. It isfurther preferred that the second plurality of fasteners comprises snapfasteners.

In a feature of this variation, the travel cooler further comprises ahand pump for inflating of the inflatable sidewalls.

In a further feature of this variation, the insulated container furthercomprises a hand pump removably mounted to an exterior surface of theinsulated container, the hand pump being configured for matingengagement with the at least one valve for inflating of the inflatablesidewalls. It is preferred that the insulated container furthercomprises a lid and that the hand pump is removably mounted to theexterior surface of the top of the lid.

Third Aspect of the Invention

In another aspect of this invention, the travel cooler comprises a base,a plurality of wheels mounted to the base for rolling movement of thebase, and an insulated container having sidewalls supported by the baseand defining an interior, insulated space for receiving and preservingperishable food items. The base includes a portion that extends beyondat least one of the sidewalls to define a cargo receiving area forreceiving items for transport.

In a feature of this aspect, the base includes a length between frontand rear ends of the base, and the portion of the base extends betweenabout one-half and about one-quarter of the length of the base. In afurther feature, the portion of the base further extends at an elevationproximate a bottom of the insulated container. In yet another feature,the portion of the base is inclined and extends to an elevation below abottom of the insulated container. In still yet another feature, theportion of the base comprises a surface upon which additional items maybe supported for transport.

In accordance with this aspect, the portion of the base includes adistal end, and the cargo receiving area extends between the distal endand the insulated container. In furtherance of this aspect, the portionof the base includes a distal end, and the distal end of the portion ofthe base further comprises a handle for lifting of a rear end of thetravel cooler.

In another feature of this aspect, the portion of the base includes adistal end and further comprises a retaining member that generallyextends upwardly proximate the distal end of the portion of the base.The retaining member may further generally extend outwardly away fromthe insulated container. In accordance with this feature, the cargoreceiving area is defined between the insulated container and theupwardly extending retaining member. In furtherance of this feature, theupwardly extending retaining member comprises a handle for lifting of arear end of the travel cooler, and the distal end of the portion of thebase further comprises a handle for lifting of the rear end of thetravel cooler. Also in accordance with this feature, the upwardlyextending retaining member is connected in pivotable dispositionrelative to the portion of the base. It is preferred that the upwardlyextending retaining member is connected to the portion of the base by ahinge. It is also preferred that the upwardly extending retaining memberis configured to move between a protracted position, wherein theretaining member generally extends upwardly, and a retracted position,wherein the retaining member generally extends adjacent to the portionof the base.

In a variation of this aspect, the travel cooler comprises a base, aplurality of wheels mounted to the base for rolling movement of thebase, an insulated container supported by the base and defining aninterior, insulated space for receiving and preserving perishable fooditems, and a retaining member mounted to the base and configured to movebetween a protracted position relative to the insulated container,wherein the retaining member and the insulated container define a cargoreceiving area there between for receiving items for transport, and aretracted position relative to the insulated container, wherein theretaining member is disposed proximate the insulated container such thatthe cargo receiving area is substantially eliminated.

In a feature of this variation, the retaining member is connected to thebase for pivoting movement relative thereto. In a further feature ofthis variation, the retaining member is connected to the base forlinear, sliding movement relative thereto. In yet another feature ofthis variation, the travel cooler further comprises opposed panelsconnected to the retaining member, whereby the retaining member and theside panels define a basket for receiving items for transport when theretaining member is in the protracted position.

In another variation of this aspect, the travel cooler comprises a base,a plurality of wheels mounted to the base for rolling movement of thebase, an insulated container supported by the base and defining aninterior, insulated space for receiving and preserving perishable fooditems, and a bracket removably mounted to the insulated container withthe bracket defining a cargo receiving area for receiving items fortransport exterior to the insulated container.

Fourth Aspect of the Invention

In another aspect of this invention, the travel cooler comprises a base,a handle attached to the base at a first location and generallyextending upwardly from the base when attached to the base at the firstlocation, a plurality of wheels mounted to the base for rolling movementof the base by the handle, and an insulated container having sidewallssupported by the base and defining an interior, insulated space forreceiving and preserving perishable food items. The handle is removablyattached to the base such that the handle is detachable and removablefrom the base. The base is configured to receive and retain the handleat a second location when the handle is detached from the base at thefirst location, with the handle generally extending horizontallyrelative to the base when attached at the second location. The handleitself preferably is rigid.

In a feature of this aspect of the invention, the second location islocated underneath the base for storage of the handle when the travelcooler is not in use. In another feature, an underneath of the basedefines one or more channels or slots for receiving lengths of thehandle therein. In yet another feature, the handle is U-shaped andincludes two legs connected by a handle portion, wherein the basedefines two parallel, elongate cavities that extend generallyhorizontally therethrough. Preferably, the legs of the handle arereceived within the cavities when the handle is attached to the base atthe second location, and the handle portion extends adjacent a side ofthe base.

In another feature of this aspect, the handle further includes aspring-biased catch, and the handle is disposed by the catch in lockeddisposition relative to the base when the handle is attached to the baseat the second location. It is preferred that the handle further isdisposed by the catch in locked disposition relative to the base whenthe handle is attached to the base at the first location.

In another feature of this aspect, the base includes a first couplingcomponent fixedly disposed on the base, wherein the insulated containerincludes a second coupling component fixedly disposed on the container;the first and second coupling components are disengaged from one anotherwhen the insulated container is uncoupled from the base; and the firstand second coupling components are disposed in interlocking engagementwhen the insulated container is coupled to the base, whereby theinsulated container is securely coupled to the base in fixed dispositionrelative thereto for safe transportation on the base. It is preferredthat the base defines a container receiving recess within which a bottomportion of the insulated container is received when the insulatedcontainer is coupled to the base.

In yet another feature, the sidewalls of the container are inflatable,and the insulated container further includes a valve for inflating ofthe sidewalls. It is preferred that the travel cooler further comprisesa hand pump removably mounted to an exterior surface thereof with thehand pump being configured for mating engagement with the valve forinflating of the inflatable sidewalls. It is also preferred that theinflatable sidewalls comprise a single, inflatable bladder, and that thebladder comprises a substantially air impermeable, flexible materialthat defines an inner wall and an outer wall with an enclosed spaceextending there between for receiving air. It is further preferred thatthe bladder is in an inflated condition when the enclosed space has beensubstantially filled with air, and the bladder is in a collapsedcondition when air is substantially absent from the enclosed space, withthe travel cooler consuming a significantly smaller space for storagewhen the bladder is in the collapsed condition and the handle isattached to the base at the second location than when the bladder is inthe inflated condition and the handle is attached to the base at thefirst location.

In still yet another feature, the base includes a portion that extendsbeyond at least one of the sidewalls to define a cargo receiving areafor receiving items for transport. In accordance with this feature, theportion of the base includes a distal end, and the distal end of theportion of the base further comprises a handle for lifting of a rear endof the travel cooler. In furtherance of this feature, the portion of thebase includes a distal end, and the travel cooler further comprises aretaining member that generally extends upwardly proximate the distalend of the portion of the base. It is preferred that the upwardlyextending retaining member comprises a handle for lifting of a rear endof the travel cooler and that the distal end of the portion of the basefurther comprises a handle for lifting of the rear end of the travelcooler. In accordance with this feature, the upwardly extendingretaining member is connected in pivotable disposition relative to theportion of the base. It is preferred that the upwardly extendingretaining member is connected to the portion of the base by a hinge. Itis also preferred that the upwardly extending retaining member isconfigured to move between a protracted position, wherein the retainingmember generally extends upwardly, and a retracted position, wherein theretaining member generally extends adjacent to the portion of the base.

Fifth Aspect of the Invention

In another aspect of the invention, the travel cooler comprises a base,an insulated container having an interior, insulated space for receivingand preserving perishable food items, and a pneumatic hand pump. Anexterior of the travel cooler defines a pneumatic hand pump receivingarea for receiving and retaining the pneumatic hand pump.

In a feature of this aspect, an exterior of the insulated containercomprises the exterior of the travel cooler defining the receiving areafor receiving and retaining the pneumatic hand pump. In another featureof this aspect, the receiving area comprises a recessed area having aprofile generally commensurate in shape with the pneumatic hand pump. Inyet another feature of this aspect, the sidewalls of the container areinflatable, and the insulated container further includes a valve forinflating of the sidewalls, with the pneumatic hand pump beingconfigured for mating engagement with the valve for inflating of theinflatable sidewalls. It is preferred that the insulated containercomprises a lid, and the pneumatic hand pump is removably mounted to thelid. It is further preferred that the inflatable sidewalls comprise asingle, inflatable bladder, and the bladder comprises a substantiallyair impermeable, flexible material that defines an inner wall and anouter wall with an enclosed space extending there between for receivingair. The bladder is in an inflated condition when the enclosed space hasbeen substantially filled with air, and the bladder is in a collapsedcondition when air is substantially absent from the enclosed space, withthe travel cooler consuming a significantly smaller space for storagewhen the bladder is in the collapsed condition than when the bladder isin the inflated condition

In another feature of this aspect, a plurality of wheels is mounted tothe base for rolling movement of the base. It is preferred that a handlealso is attached to the base for rolling movement of the base by thehandle.

In yet another feature of this aspect, the base includes a firstcoupling component fixedly disposed on the base; and the insulatedcontainer includes a second coupling component fixedly disposed on thecontainer. The first and second coupling components are disengaged fromone another when the insulated container is uncoupled from the base, andthe first and second coupling components are disposed in interlockingengagement when the insulated container is coupled to the base, wherebythe insulated container is securely coupled to the base in fixeddisposition relative thereto for safe transportation on the base. Inaccordance with this feature, the base defines a container receivingrecess within which a bottom portion of the insulated container isreceived when the insulated container is coupled to the base.

In another feature, the base includes a portion that extends beyond theinsulated container to define a cargo receiving area for receiving itemsfor transport. In furtherance of this feature, the portion of the baseincludes a distal end, and the distal end of the portion of the basefurther comprises a handle for lifting of a rear end of the travelcooler. It is preferred that the portion of the base includes a distalend, and that the cooler further comprises a retaining member thatgenerally extends upwardly proximate the distal end of the portion ofthe base. It is further preferred that the upwardly extending retainingmember comprises a handle for lifting of a rear end of the travel coolerand that the distal end of the portion of the base comprises a handlefor lifting of the rear end of the travel cooler. In accordance withthis feature, the upwardly extending retaining member is connected inpivotable disposition relative to the portion of the base. In furtheraccordance with this feature, the upwardly extending retaining member isconnected to the portion of the base by a hinge. It is preferred thatthe upwardly extending retaining member is configured to move between aprotracted position, wherein the retaining member generally extendsupwardly, and a retracted position, wherein the retaining membergenerally extends adjacent to the portion of the base.

In a variation of this aspect, the travel cooler comprises an insulatedcontainer having an interior, insulated space for receiving andpreserving perishable food items, an insulated lid for covering theinterior, insulated space of the insulated container, and a pneumatichand pump. The lid includes a pneumatic hand pump receiving area inwhich the pneumatic hand pump is removably received and retained.

In a feature of this variation, the insulated container comprises aninflatable wall and a valve for inflating of the wall, and the pneumatichand pump is configured for mating engagement with the valve forinflating of the inflatable wall.

Sixth Aspect of the Invention

In another aspect of the invention, a stacked arrangement of travelcoolers comprises a plurality of travel coolers arranged in a series ofstacking pairs, wherein each travel cooler includes a base that includesa bottom surface; a pair of wheels mounted to the base for rollingmovement of the base with each wheel of the pair being disposed on arespective lateral side of the base; an insulated container having aninterior, insulated space for receiving and preserving perishable fooditems; a front end of the base; and a rear end of the base, with thepair of wheels being mounted closer to the front end of the base thanthe rear end of the base.

Each stacking pair includes an upper travel cooler disposed on top of alower travel cooler with the bottom surface of the base of the uppertravel cooler resting upon the bottom surface of the base of the lowertravel cooler, and with the lower travel cooler having been turnedupside down. The front end of the upper travel cooler is disposed overand generally aligned with the rear end of the lower travel cooler.

In a feature of this aspect, each of the bottom surfaces of the travelcoolers is disposed at an incline such that the base of the upper travelcooler is disposed to slide, in response to gravity, toward the frontend of the lower travel cooler whereby the pair of wheels of the uppertravel cooler are disposed in abutting engagement with the pair ofwheels of the lower travel cooler.

In another feature, the insulated container of each travel coolercomprises an inflatable wall, and each inflatable wall of each thetravel cooler is deflated.

In yet another feature, each travel cooler further includes a lidmounted to the insulating container for covering the interior, insulatedspace, and adjacent stacking pairs include a lower travel cooler of anupper pair disposed on top of an upper travel cooler of a lower pair,with a surface of the lid of the lower travel cooler of the upper pairresting upon a surface of the lid of the upper travel cooler of thelower pair, and with the lower travel cooler of the upper pair havingbeen turned upside down, and the front end of the lower travel cooler ofthe upper pair being disposed over and generally aligned with the rearend of the upper travel cooler of the lower pair. In accordance withthis feature, each lid of each travel cooler comprises a hand pumpreceiving area disposed in an exterior surface thereof for storage of apneumatic hand pump, and each travel cooler further comprises apneumatic hand pump releasably received and retained in the hand pumpreceiving area.

In a variation of this aspect, a stacked arrangement of travel coolerscomprises a plurality of travel coolers arranged in a series of stackingpairs. Each travel cooler includes a base; a pair of wheels mounted tothe base for rolling movement of the base with each wheel of the pairbeing disposed on a respective lateral side of the base; an insulatedcontainer having an interior, insulated space for receiving andpreserving perishable food items; a lid mounted to the container forcovering the interior, insulated space; a front end of the base; and arear end of the base with the pair of wheels being mounted closer to thefront end of the base than the rear end of the base. Each stacking pairincludes an upper travel cooler disposed on top of a lower travelcooler, with a surface of the lid of the upper travel cooler restingupon a surface of the lid of the lower travel cooler, and with the uppertravel cooler having been turned upside down. The front end of the uppertravel cooler is disposed over and generally aligned with the rear endof the lower travel cooler.

In a feature of this variation, each surface of the lids of the pair ofstacking travel coolers is contoured whereby the stacking pair of travelcoolers are inhibited from sliding on top of each another.

In another feature of this variation, the surface of a lid of the pairof stacking travel coolers is contoured for mating engagement with thesurface of the other lid of the pair of stacking travel coolers, wherebythe travel coolers interlock and are inhibited from sliding whendisposed on top of each another.

In yet another feature, each insulated container of each travel coolercomprises an inflatable wall, and each inflatable wall of each travelcooler is deflated.

In still yet another feature, each lid of each travel cooler comprises ahand pump receiving area disposed in an exterior surface thereof forstorage of a pneumatic hand pump, and each travel cooler furthercomprises a pneumatic hand pump releasably received and retained in thehand pump receiving area. It is preferred that each insulated containerof each travel cooler comprises an inflatable wall and that each theinflatable wall of each the travel cooler is deflated.

In another variation of this aspect relates to a method of stackingtravel coolers. Each travel cooler includes a base including a bottomsurface; a pair of wheels mounted to the base for rolling movement ofthe base, with each wheel of the pair being disposed on a respectivelateral side of the base; an insulated container having an interior,insulated space for receiving and preserving perishable food items; alid mounted to the container for covering the interior, insulated space;a front end of the base; and a rear end of the base, with the pair ofwheels being mounted closer to the front end of the base than the rearend of the base. The method comprises the steps of: disposing a firsttravel cooler on top of a second travel cooler such that the bottomsurface of the base of the first travel cooler rests upon the bottomsurface of the base of the second travel cooler, with the second travelcooler having been turned upside down, and such that the front end ofthe first travel cooler is over and generally aligned with the rear endof the second travel cooler; and, disposing a third travel cooler on topof the second travel cooler such that a surface of the lid of the thirdtravel cooler rests upon a surface of the lid of the first travelcooler, with the third travel cooler having been turned upside down, andsuch that the front end of the third travel cooler is over and generallyaligned with the rear end of the first travel cooler.

In a feature of this variation, the bottom surface of the first travelcoolers is disposed at an incline such that the base of the first travelcooler is disposed to slide, in response to gravity, toward the frontend of the second travel cooler whereby the pair of wheels of the firsttravel cooler are disposed in abutting engagement with the pair ofwheels of the second travel cooler.

In another feature of this variation, the surface of the lid of thefirst travel cooler is contoured to engage a contour of the surface ofthe lid of the third travel cooler, whereby the third travel cooler isinhibited from sliding on top of the first travel cooler.

In yet another feature, the second travel cooler is disposed on top ofanother travel cooler. In a variation thereof, the second travel coolerinstead is the lowermost travel cooler in the stack.

In accordance with this variation, each insulated container of thefirst, second, and third travel coolers comprises an inflatable wall,and each inflatable wall is deflated. In furtherance of this variation,each lid of the first, second and third travel coolers comprises a handpump receiving area disposed in an exterior surface thereof for storageof a pneumatic hand pump, and each of the first, second, and thirdtravel coolers further comprises a pneumatic hand pump releasablyreceived and retained in the hand pump receiving area thereof.

In a further variation of this aspect, a stacked arrangement of travelcoolers is formed by the method described hereinabove.

Other aspects and features are set forth in the '225 application, whichaspects and features are incorporated by reference herein.

In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the presentinvention, the present invention further includes the various possiblecombinations and permutations of such aspects and features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further aspects, features, embodiments, and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed descriptionwith reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a travel cooler in accordance with thepreferred embodiments of the present invention in a transportconfiguration;

FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the travel cooler of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the travel cooler of FIG. 1A in astorage configuration;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the insulated container of the travelcooler of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the wheeled platform of the travelcooler of FIG. 1A without the insulated container disposed thereon;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the insulated container with a hand pumpretained in a pump receiving recess;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the hand pump and a top view of theinsulated container with the hand pump removed from the pump receivingrecess;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the travel cooler of FIG. 1A showing thehandle disposed at a second location on the base in a handle receivingarea;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the detachable handle of the travel coolerof FIG. 1A;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of four travel coolers in a preferredstacking arrangement;

FIG. 10A is a side view of a second embodiment of a travel cooler in anexpanded configuration according to the present invention;

FIG. 10B is a side view of the travel cooler of FIG. 10A in a collapsedconfiguration;

FIG. 11A is a side view of a third embodiment of a travel cooler in anexpanded configuration according to the present invention;

FIG. 11B is a side view of the travel cooler of FIG. 11A in a collapsedconfiguration;

FIG. 12 is a side view of a fourth embodiment of a travel cooleraccording to the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a side view of a fifth embodiment of a travel cooleraccording to the present invention;

FIG. 14A is a side view of an embodiment of a storage bracket accordingto an aspect of the present invention; and

FIG. 14B is a side view of the storage bracket of FIG. 14A removablyattached to an insulated container of a travel cooler.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one havingordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the presentinvention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodimentdiscussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be partof a best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention.Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrativepurposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the presentinvention and may or may not be a preferred embodiment. Moreover, manyembodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, andequivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodimentsdescribed herein and fall within the scope of the present invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detailin relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that thisdisclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, andis made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enablingdisclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein ofone or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, tolimit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention,which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof.It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded thepresent invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitationfound herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.

Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps ofvarious processes or methods that are described herein are illustrativeand not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, althoughsteps of various processes or methods may be shown and described asbeing in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processesor methods are not limited to being carried out in any particularsequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps insuch processes or methods generally may be carried out in variousdifferent sequences and orders while still falling within the scope ofthe present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope ofpatent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by theappended claims rather than the description set forth herein.

Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refersto that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to meanbased on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that themeaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisanbased on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from anyparticular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that themeaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan shouldprevail.

Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an”each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a pluralityunless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “apicnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having atleast one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” Incontrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes“a picnic basket having only one apple.”

When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one ofthe items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus,reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “apicnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket havingcrackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese andcrackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and”denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnicbasket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket havingcheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well asdescribes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basketfurther has cheese.”

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent likecomponents throughout the several views, preferred embodiments of thepresent invention are next described. The following description ofpreferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no wayintended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a travel cooler 10 in a transportconfiguration in accordance with the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention. FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the travelcooler of FIG. 1A. The travel cooler 10 comprises a wheeled platform 12,an insulated container 14, a handle 16 and a retaining member 18. Thewheeled platform 12 comprises a base 20 and a pair of coaxial wheels 22.

The base 20 includes a bottom 24, a first end 26, a second end 28, and atop surface 30. The base 20 includes a length defined by the distancebetween the first end 26 and the second end 28. The base 20 furtherincludes a container receiving recess 32 and an extension portion 34.FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the wheeled platform 12 without theinsulated container 14 disposed thereon. As illustrated therein, thecontainer receiving recess 32 is disposed near the first end 26 of thebase 20 and is configured to receive a bottom portion 36 of theinsulated container 14. The container receiving recess 32 includes aperipheral wall 38 that defines a profile that matches a profile of theouter periphery of the insulated container 14 such that the peripheralwall 38 extends in close proximity to and/or in abutment with the outerperiphery of the insulated container 14 for support thereof when theinsulated container 14 is coupled to the wheeled platform 12. Theperipheral wall 38 completely encircles the outer periphery of theinsulated container 14 when the insulated container 14 is coupled to thewheeled platform 12, and no portion of the insulated container 14extends laterally beyond an edge of the wheeled platform 12.

The peripheral wall 38 has a front end 40, which is disposed at thefirst end 26 of the base 20. The front end 40 of the peripheral wall 38defines a handle recess 42 for receiving and retaining the handle 16 ata first location. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle recess 42 isa pair of vertically-oriented tubular recesses that extend downward intothe top of the front end 40 of the peripheral wall 38. The extensionportion 34 of the wheeled platform base 20 extends below and beyond theinsulated container 14 toward the second end 28 of the base 20 from thecontainer receiving recess 32. The extension portion 34 extends betweenone-half and one-quarter of the length of the base 20. In theillustrated embodiment, the extension portion 34 is fixedly mounted tothe container receiving recess 32. However, the Ordinary Artisan willunderstand that, alternatively, the extension portion 34 may be mountedfor movement relative to the container receiving recess 32, includingpivotable movement and/or linear sliding movement. Furthermore, theOrdinary Artisan will understand that the base 20 may not include theextension portion 34. In such embodiment, the second end 28 of the base20 is disposed adjacent the container receiving recess 32. Additionally,in such embodiment, the cooler 10 does not include the retaining member18.

The extension portion 34 extends from the container receiving recess 32at an elevation proximate a bottom 60 of the insulated container 14. Theextension portion 34 also extends downwardly at an incline to anelevation below the bottom 60 of the insulated container 14, whichgenerally corresponds to a surface on which the cooler 10 rests whenstationary. The extension portion 34 includes a surface upon whichadditional items may be supported for transport.

The extension portion 34 may be trapezoidal in form with a first side 44in abutting arrangement with the container receiving recess 32 and asecond side 46 disposed a fixed distance from and substantially parallelto the first side 44. Two additional sides 48 extend between the firstside 44 and the second side 46 to form the trapezoidal shape of theextension portion 34. The second side 46 of the extension portion 34 hasindentations formed therein defining a handgrip for receipt of thefingers of a user.

The retaining member 18 comprises two leg members 72 arranged inparallel relation to one another, each having a first end and a secondend. The leg members 72 are connected to one another at their first endsby a cross-beam 74 that extends orthogonally between the two members 72.The cross-beam 74 includes indentations in the surface thereof defininga handgrip for receipt of the fingers of a user. In the upright,protracted position shown in FIG. 1A, the retaining member 18 isdisposed substantially orthogonally to a surface on which the travelcooler 10 is placed, usually the ground. Although the retaining member18 is disposed in an upright position in the present embodiment, theOrdinary Artisan will understand that the retaining member 18 mayfurther extend outwardly from the insulated container 14. The secondends of the leg members 72 are pivotally connected to the second end 28of the base 20 with one or more pivoting connection members 50. In theillustrated embodiment, the pivoting connection member 50 is a hinge.However, the Ordinary Artisan will understand that any connectionmechanism that provides a pivoting connection may be used to connect theretaining member 18 to the base 20.

As best seen in FIG. 7, the bottom 24 of the base 20 defines a handlereceiving area 52 for receipt of the handle 16 therein at a secondlocation. A pair of wheels 22 are coaxial with one another and areconnected to the base 20 with a conventional wheel axle. The wheels 22facilitate rolling motion of the travel cooler 10 from one location toanother and are preferably constructed of a material capable ofsupporting the weight of the items stored in and on the cooler 10. It ispreferred that the wheels 22 be able to support at least about ninetypounds. It is more preferred that the wheels 22 be able to support atleast about one hundred ten pounds. Additionally, the wheels 22 arepreferably large enough to easily roll across terrain such as sand on abeach or grass in a park. The dimensions of the wheels 22 preferably areabout ten inches in diameter and about three inches in tread width.

The insulated container 14 may be used as a cooler when uncoupled fromthe wheeled platform 12 as shown in FIG. 3. The insulated container 14itself comprises a bladder 54, a rim 56 and a lid 58. The bladder 54includes a bottom wall 60, inflatable sidewalls, including an inner wall62 and an outer wall 64, and an upper edge wall 66. Such walls areperhaps best seen in FIG. 1B. The bottom wall 60 extends across andencloses the bottom portion 36 of the container 14. The bottom wall 60of the insulated container 14 is non-inflatable and may be rigid,semirigid, or flexible. When the bladder 54 is deflated, the inner wall62 and outer wall 64 extend in an orthogonal direction away from thebottom wall 60 and define an enclosed space there between for receipt ofair. The inner wall 62 and outer wall 64 are comprised of asubstantially air-impermeable, flexible material. The inner wall 62 andouter wall 64 are connected by the bottom wall 60 and the upper edgewall 66. The inner wall 62 and outer wall 64 include non-pleated, smoothexterior surfaces, and the outer wall 64 defines the outer periphery ofthe container 14.

In the transport configuration, the bladder 54 is in an inflatedcondition, wherein the enclosed space is substantially filled with air.Air is received into the enclosed space through a valve 70 disposed inthe outer wall 64 of the bladder 54. In the illustrated embodiment, thevalve 70 is disposed near the first end 26 of the base 20. As such, thevalve 70 is near the handle 16 when the travel cooler 10 is in thetransport configuration. When the enclosed space is filled with air, theair creates enough rigidity that the walls of the bladder 62, 64 aregenerally upstanding. Such air also serves to insulate the interiorspace of the container 14, thereby facilitating the container's use as acooler. In the inflated condition, the insulated container 14 preferablysized to have a capacity to hold sixty-two quarts in the insulated,interior space of the container 14.

The rim 56 is disposed on the upper edge wall 66 of the bladder 54 andconnected thereto as further described hereinbelow. The rim 56 may begenerally oval shaped with an opening in the center allowing items to beplaced inside the container 14, while the lid 58 is similarly shaped tocorrespond with the rim 56. The lid 58 is connected by hinge to the rim56 such that the lid 58 may be opened and closed without fully detachingthe lid 58 from the container 14. The rim 56 and lid 58 are comprised ofa rigid, non-inflatable material and therefore do not collapse when airis evacuated from the enclosed space of the bladder 54. The lid 58, therim 56 and the retaining member 18, which is described hereinabove, arepreferably durable and rigid and are formed in one or more moldingprocesses. The molding processes may include injection molding,rotational molding, and/or blow molding. Furthermore, the lid 58, rim 56and retaining member 18 may be integrally formed or separately formedand thereafter connected together.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the handle 16 of the travelcooler 10 of FIG. 1A. The handle 16 comprises an elongate rigid tube 76bent back on itself to create a “U”-shaped bend in the middle. Thehandle 16 includes two matching legs or extension portions 78 disposedin parallel relation to one another and spaced a fixed distance from oneanother and a “U”-shaped bent handle portion 80 disposed at proximalends of the extension portions 78. Further, the extension portions 78each have a first opening 82 disposed therein at the distal ends of theextension portions 78. In addition to the bent portion 80 being bentinto a “U”-shape, it also bends generally orthogonally away from theextension portions 78 so as to be easily grasped by a user. In thepresent embodiment, the handle 16 is constructed of aluminum. However,the Ordinary Artisan will understand that the handle may be constructedof any material that is durable, malleable and relatively light.

The handle 16 further comprises a pair of catch assemblies 84, onedisposed within each of the extension portions of the handle 78. Thecatch assemblies 84 are identical in design and operation, and thus onlyone will be described herein. A catch assembly 84 comprises a rod 86,having a first end 88 and a second end 90, a catch 92 disposed at thefirst end 88 of the rod 86 and a ball 94 disposed at the second end 90of the rod 86. The rod 86 is substantially enclosed within the extensionportion of the handle 78. A portion of the catch 92 is disposed withinthe extension portion 78, and another portion of the catch 92 extendsthrough the first opening 82. The second end 90 of the rod 86 extendsthrough a second opening 96 disposed at the proximal end of theextension portion 78 and is connected to the ball 94, which is disposedoutside the extension portion 78. When the ball 94 is pulled by a user,the rod 90 actuates the catch 92, thereby moving the catch 92 such thatthe portion of the catch 92 that extends through the first opening 82 ispulled inwardly into the extension portion 78. When the ball 94 isreleased, a portion of the catch 92 returns to being extended throughthe first opening 82. The catch 92 is spring-biased.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the travel cooler 10 of FIG. 1A in astorage configuration. When in its storage configuration, the travelcooler 10 is significantly smaller in dimension than when the travelcooler 10 is in its transport configuration. In fact, when the travelcooler 10 is in its storage configuration, the total height of thecooler 10 as a whole is substantially the same as the height of the base20. Thus, the travel cooler 10 is compact and easily storable in itsstorage configuration.

Specifically, when the travel cooler 10 is in its storage configuration,the insulated container 14 is collapsed, rather than inflated as it isin its transport configuration. More particularly, the bladder 54 of theinsulated container 14 is collapsed. The enclosed space between theinner wall 62 and outer wall 64 is substantially evacuated of air, andthus the flexible walls 62, 64 of the insulated container 14 have nosupporting force to hold them upright. When the bladder 54 is collapsed,the lid 58 and the rim 56 are received into the container receivingrecess 32. The depth of the container receiving recess 32 is such thatthe lid 58 and rim 56 fit substantially within the recess 32.

Further, the retaining member 18 is folded inwardly toward the insulatedcontainer 14 in a retracted position such that it fits substantiallyadjacent the extension portion 34 of the base 20 with no portion thereofprotracting from the base 20. When the retaining member 18 is in theretracted position, a user may extend his hand or fingers through thetrapezoidal opening formed in the extension portion 34 and utilize thesecond side 46 as a handle for lifting or otherwise manipulating of thetravel cooler 10, which feature may be particularly useful when thecooler 10 is not used and in its storage configuration.

In addition, in the storage configuration, the handle 16, which iscompletely detachable and removable from the base 20, is removed fromthe handle recess 42 and is placed in the handle receiving area 52 ofthe base 20. As perhaps best shown in FIG. 2, the bent portion 80 of thehandle 16 extends slightly from the wheeled platform 12 when the handle16 is in this stored position. As such, the handle 16 also may beutilized in the stored position for manipulation of the travel cooler10.

Returning to FIG. 4, an advantage of the present invention is that theinsulated container 14 may be selectively coupled and uncoupled from thewheeled platform 12, more particularly the base 20, and used separatelythere from. The wheeled platform 12 is preferably durable and rigid andis formed in one or more molding processes. The molding processes mayinclude injection molding, rotational molding, and/or blow molding.Furthermore, the wheeled platform 12 may be integrally formed orseparately formed and thereafter connected together.

The insulated container 14 is coupled to the base 20 by couplingcomponents. When the insulated container 14 is coupled to the base 20,the coupling components are disposed in interlocking engagement with oneanother; thus, the insulated container 14 is securely coupled to thewheeled platform 12 for safe transportation on the wheeled platform 12,i.e., the insulated container 14 is protected from falling off of thebase 20.

In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling components are snaps. Moreparticularly, snap buttons 99 are disposed on the bottom wall 60 of theinsulated container 14, that are received into corresponding snapsockets 100 in the base 20 to connect the insulated container 14 to thebase 20. Such snap sockets 100 are disposed in the top surface 30 of thebase 20. The snap buttons 99 may be evenly spaced from one anotherproximate a perimeter of the bottom wall 60 of the container 14.

In use, when the bottom portion 36 of the container 14 is placed in thecontainer receiving recess 32 of the wheeled platform 12, the snapbuttons 99 are received into the mating snap sockets 100 therebycoupling the container 14 and the base 20. If it is desired to uncoupleand remove the container 14 from the base 20, a user may pull thecontainer 14 upwardly thereby forcibly disengaging the snap buttons 99from the snap sockets 100.

The upper edge wall 66 of the bladder 54 is also connected to the rim 56with coupling components. In the illustrated embodiment, the couplingcomponents are snaps. More particularly, snap sockets 104 are evenlyspaced around the upper edge wall 66 of the bladder 54 and mating snapbuttons are evenly spaced in corresponding arrangement around theunderside of the rim 56 such that the snap sockets 104 and snap buttonsmate to connect the rim 56 to the bladder 54. The ability to easilyuncouple the bladder 54 from the rim 56 and the wheeled platform 12 isan advantage of the present invention. Such detachability makes itpossible to separately replace the bladder 54, the rim 56 and thewheeled platform 12 in the event that one of these components isdamaged, as well as to permit the various components to be washed moreeasily. While not illustrated herein, the Ordinary Artisan willunderstand that a handle or strap further may be provided on theinsulated container 14 for transport of the container 14 when it isuncoupled from the wheeled platform 12.

The bottom wall 60 of the bladder 54 has a drain conduit 108 disposedtherein for removal of water or other liquids from the insulatedinterior space of the insulated container 14. Such liquids may bedrained from the insulated container 14 both when the insulatedcontainer 14 is coupled to the wheeled platform 12 and when theinsulated container 14 is uncoupled from the wheeled platform 14.

The drain conduit 108 includes an interior portion 110 and an exteriorportion 112. The interior portion 110 extends through the bottom wall 60of the insulated container 14 and provides a passageway to drain liquidfrom the insulated container 14. The exterior portion 112 includes aplug to block the flow of liquid through the interior portion 110. Thedrain conduit 108 is disposed in the bottom wall 60 of the container 14and thus remains attached to the container 14 when the container 14 isuncoupled from the wheeled platform 12.

A corresponding drain conduit opening 114 is formed in the containerreceiving recess 32 for receipt of the exterior portion 112 of the drainconduit 108 therein for removal of liquids from the container 14 whenthe container 14 is coupled to the wheeled platform 12. When theinsulated container 14 is coupled to the wheeled platform 12, theexterior portion 112 of the drain conduit 108 extends through thewheeled platform base 20 via the drain conduit opening 114 for easyaccess by a user.

In order to remove liquids from the insulated interior of the insulatedcontainer 14, a user simply pulls the exterior portion 112 of the drainconduit 108, which opens the drain conduit 108 and allows liquids toflow there through. A user may close the drain conduit 108 when thedesired amount of liquid has been drained from the insulated container14.

As described previously, in order to inflate the bladder 54 of theinsulated container 14, air is received into the bladder enclosed space.A hand pump 120 may be utilized to introduce such air into the enclosedspace. The hand pump 120 is a conventional dual action hand pump withtwo mating cylinders 122 and a nozzle 124 disposed at one end. Thenozzle 124 is sized to be coupled with the valve 70 such that air may beintroduced into the bladder 54 utilizing the hand pump 120. Because thehand pump 120 is a dual action hand pump, air is introduced into thebladder 54 when the hand pump is both pulled and pushed. Accordingly,the bladder 54 can be inflated relatively quickly by hand.

The travel cooler lid 58 defines a pump receiving recess 126 in theexterior thereof for retention of the hand pump 120 when it is not inuse. FIG. 5 is a top view of the insulated container 14 with the handpump 120 retained in such a pump receiving recess 126, and FIG. 6 is aperspective view of the hand pump 120 and a top view of the insulatedcontainer 14 with the hand pump 120 removed from the pump receivingrecess 126. The shape of the pump receiving recess 126 is commensuratewith that of the hand pump 120 so that the hand pump 120 fits snuglywithin the recess 126 via a pressure fit. In addition, a foam disk 128fits within the pump receiving recess 126 to aid in retaining the handpump 120 within the recess 126. The foam disk 128 is configured tocouple with the end of the hand pump 120 opposite the end with thenozzle 124. The foam disk 128 of the illustrated embodiment comprisesclosed cell, cross linked polyethylene. However, any foam material thatprovides similar functionality may be utilized.

Together, the shape of the pump receiving recess 126 and the foam disk128 secure the hand pump 120 in the lid 58 when the hand pump 120 is notin use. A user simply pulls the nozzle end of the hand pump 120 toremove the hand pump 120 from the pump receiving recess 126. To returnthe hand pump 120 to the recess 126, a user couples the mating end ofthe hand pump 120 with the foam disk 128 and then snaps the hand pump120 into place in the recess 126. In the present embodiment, the handpump 120 is retained in the lid 58; however, the Ordinary Artisan willunderstand that the hand pump 120 may be received and retained anywhereon the travel cooler 10 where sufficient space is available.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the travel cooler 10 of FIG. 1A showing thehandle 16 disposed in the handle receiving area 52 in the storedposition. In the stored position, the handle 16 is securely retained inthe handle receiving area 52 in a space-saving configuration. The handlereceiving area 52 includes two elongate recesses 116 in matchingconfiguration with the extension portions of the handle 78. The elongaterecesses 116 begin at the first end 26 of the base 20 and extendpartially into the extension portion 34 of the base 20. Each of theelongate recesses 116 terminates with a further indentation 118 forreceipt of the handle catches 92. In addition to having the functiondescribed previously, the catches 92 aid in securing the handle 16 inthe handle receiving area 52. The handle 16 is further secured in thehandle receiving area 52 by the wheel axle, which crosses underneath orbehind the handle 16 when the handle 16 is in the stored position. Tominimize the space required to store the travel cooler 10, the handle 16is oriented such that the bent portion 80 is substantially adjacent theperipheral wall 38 of the container receiving recess 32 when the handle16 is in the handle receiving area 52. In this position, the balls 94 ofthe catch assemblies 84 are easily accessible to a user for release ofthe spring-biased catches 92 when the handle 16 is to be detached fromthe base 20.

The spring-biased catches 92 secure the handle 16 in both the storedposition and the upright position; therefore, in order to move thehandle 16 from the stored position to the upright position, the catchassemblies 84 are actuated. To actuate such assemblies 84, a user pullsthe balls 94 of the catch assemblies 84 thereby moving the catches 92inwardly into the extension portions of the handle 78. When the catches92 are disposed within the extension portions 78, the handle 16 may beremoved from the handle receiving area 52 by sliding it out of thehandle receiving area 52.

To place the handle 16 in the upright position, the user arranges thehandle 16 such that the bent portion 80 is oriented toward the user. Inthis arrangement, the balls 94 of the catch assemblies 84 are easilyaccessed by the user. The user pulls the balls 94, which allows theextension portions 78 to be slid into the handle recess 42. Once thedistal ends of the extension portions 78 have been inserted into thehandle recess 42, the user may release the balls 94 and continue slidingthe extension portions 78 through the handle recess 42. When the firstopenings 82 of the extension portions 78 have passed through the handlerecess 42, a portion of the catches 92 extend outwardly through thefirst openings 82 thereby securing the handle 16 from sliding out of thehandle recess 42. The handle 16 is secured in the upright position untila user actuates the catch assemblies 84 by pulling on the balls 94 ofthe catch assemblies 84 and removes the handle 16 from the handle recess42. In the upright position, the handle 16 may be used to easily pivotand roll the travel cooler 10 from one location to another in similarfashion to how a hand truck may be pivoted and rolled.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a plurality of travel coolers 10 of thepresent invention in a preferred stacking arrangement. An advantage ofthe travel cooler 10 of the present invention is that it may be stackedfor storage or for display in a retail setting. As is illustrated byFIG. 9, travel coolers 10 of the present invention may be stacked in aunique, space-saving arrangement.

As discussed previously herein, the bladder 54 collapses into thecontainer receiving recess 32 when air is evacuated from the bladderenclosed space. Further, the rim 56 and lid 58 fit substantially withinthe container receiving recess 32 such that the height of the cooler 10in the storage configuration is essentially the same as that of theperipheral wall 38 of the container receiving recess 32. As such, thecooler 10 occupies minimal space when it is in the storage configurationand thus lends itself to being stacked for storage or display.

Referring to the stacking configuration of FIG. 9, a plurality ofcoolers 10 may be stacked in a series of stacking pairs 132, each havingan upper travel cooler 10 disposed on top of a lower travel cooler 10,with the bottoms 24 of the bases 20, more particularly the bottomsurfaces of the bases 20, of the two coolers 10 being mated to form astacking pair 132. In this arrangement, the bottom surface of the base20 of the upper travel cooler 10 rests upon the bottom surface of thebase 20 of the lower travel cooler 10 with the lower travel coolerhaving been turned upside down. Each of the bottom surfaces of thetravel coolers 10 is disposed at an incline such that the base 20 of theupper travel cooler 10 is disposed to slide, in response to gravity,toward the first end 26 of the lower travel cooler 10 whereby the wheels22 of the upper travel cooler 10 are disposed and maintained in abuttingengagement with the wheels 22 of the lower travel cooler 10. Inaddition, the coolers 10 of each stacking pair 132 are in an alternatingarrangement such that the first end 26 of the base 20 of one of thecoolers 10 is generally aligned with the second end 28 of the base 20 ofthe other cooler 10 in the stacking pair 132.

The stacking pairs 132 are further arranged one on top of the other,with the lid 58 of the top cooler 10 in the bottom stacking pair 132being in adjacent contact with the lid 58 of the bottom cooler 10 in thetop stacking pair 132. The stacking pairs 132 are also arranged in analternating arrangement, with all of the bottom coolers 10 of thestacking pairs 132 being disposed in one direction and all of the topcoolers 10 in the stacking pairs 132 being disposed in the oppositedirection.

Alternatively, a stacking pair 132 may comprise a bottom cooler 10 and atop cooler 10 arranged such that the lid 58 of the bottom cooler 10 isin abutting engagement with the lid 58 of the top cooler 10. In thisalternative stacking pair arrangement, the top cooler 10 has been turnedup side down.

In operation, the travel cooler 10 of the present invention may beutilized to transport items from one location to another. When thetravel cooler 10 is in the transport configuration, it is ideal forcarrying such items. Perishable items may be placed in the insulatedcontainer 14 when the container 14 is in the inflated condition. Inorder to inflate the insulated container 14, air is hand pumped into thebladder enclosed space. Specifically, a user removes the hand pump 120from the pump receiving recess 126 and couples the hand pump nozzle 124to the valve 70. The user then operates the dual action hand pump 120 bymoving the cylinders 122 in and out in conventional hand pumping action.Once the insulated container 14 has been inflated, the hand pump 120 isremoved from the valve 70 and the valve 70 is closed to insure that noair escapes from the space. The hand pump 120 may then be replaced inthe pump receiving recess 126.

Non-perishable items, e.g., folded beach chairs, towels, and the like,may be placed in a cargo receiving area 130 bounded by the retainingmember 18, the extension portion 34, and the insulated container 14. Inaddition, because the lid 58 is substantially planar, items may also beplaced on top of the lid 58 for transport. Bungee cords may strapped tothe cooler 10 and utilized to stabilize such items for transport.

A loaded travel cooler 10 may be easily moved from one location to thenext. A user simply grasps the handle 16, tilts the cooler 10 backtoward the user using the wheels 22 as pivot members, and begins eitherpushing or pulling the cooler 10 to the desired location. The extensionportion of the cooler 34 is lifted off the ground in a tilted positionsuch that the extension portion 34 does not hinder movement of thecooler 10. During transport, items contained within the cargo receivingarea 130 are securely maintained therein by the cooler configuration.When a user arrives at his destination, he simply tilts the cooler 10back to rest stably on the ground.

Once a user has arrived at the desired location and removed items fromthe cargo receiving area 130, the retaining member 18 may be folded downor the handle 16 may be placed in the stored position. In addition, theinsulated container 14 may be removed from the wheeled platform 12 if sodesired.

When a user desires to store the travel cooler 10, liquid may be removedfrom the container 14 by opening the drain conduit 108 and air may beremoved from the bladder space by utilizing the valve 70. Moreparticularly, a user squeezes the valve 70 to open the valve andevacuate air from the enclosed space within the bladder 54. The walls ofthe container 62, 64 collapse when air has been evacuated from theenclosed space there between. Once the bladder 54 is collapsed, thecontainer lid 58 and rim 56 fit within the container receiving recess32. The retaining member 18 may be folded to the stored position and thehandle 16 moved to the stored position. In this storage configuration,the travel cooler 10 may be easily stored or may be stacked for retaildisplay.

The travel cooler 10 of the present invention is advantageous over knownwheeled coolers because the present invention provides a travel cooler10 that may easily transport both perishable and non-perishable itemsfrom one location to another and may be easily stored because thedimensions of the travel cooler 10 may be significantly reduced forstorage thereof. A further advantage of the travel cooler 10 is that theinsulated container 14 may be uncoupled from the wheeled platform 12thereof for separate use or for replacement in the event of damage. Itis a further advantage of the travel cooler 10 that the cooler 10 isdesigned to have a minimum amount of failure points. For example, thehandle 16 is not connected to the wheeled platform 12 with a hinge thatcould fail but rather is removably attached to the wheeled platform 12to provide a more sturdy, reliable attachment point. For components thatmay be more susceptible to damage, such as the bladder 54, the designmakes it possible to replace such components, if damaged. In addition,the length and positioning of the handle 16 provide an advantage for auser when the cooler 10 is being transported by allowing the user tocomfortably roll the cooler 10 on its wheeled platform 12 without havingto bend over to grab and pull the handle 16 while transporting thecooler 10.

Additional Embodiments of Travel Coolers

A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 10A-10B.In this embodiment, the travel cooler 1100 is configurable into atransport configuration as shown in FIG. 10A, and a storageconfiguration as shown in FIG. 10B. The cooler 1100 includes a platform1102 having forward wheels 1104 and rearward wheels 1106. The insulatedcontainer 1108 also is inflatable in this embodiment. The container 1108is shown as fully inflated in FIG. 10A, wherein the transportconfiguration of the cooler 1100 is obtained. In FIG. 10A, an insulatedinterior space is defined within the container 1108 for receiving, forexample, food supplies, beverages, and ice. The container preferablyincludes at least a double-wall construction with an enclosed spacedefined between substantially air-impermeable walls for receiving air ininflating the container. Air trapped within the double-wall constructionprovides thermal insulation to help maintain a low temperature withinthe compartment of the container despite a warm sunny environment aboutthe cooler. The container is shown as deflated in FIG. 10B, wherein thestorage configuration of the cooler 1100 is obtained for convenientportage and storage of the cooler, for example in the rear trunk of anautomobile. Moreover, in this regard, certain preferred collapsiblecoolers of the present invention include configurations that accommodatesecure nesting of the coolers on top of each other in vertical stacks.

A telescoping handle of the cooler 1100 has a piston portion 1110 and acylinder portion 1112 that together are utilized in inflating thecontainer 1108. The telescoping handle pivots about a hinge point 1114toward the rigid lid 1116 of the container 1108 for minimizing theoverall outer dimensions of the cooler 1100 when the storageconfiguration is obtained (FIG. 10B). The telescoping handle also servesas both a guide handle in directing, pushing and pulling the coolerabout in its travels, and as a hand pump for inflating the container1108 in obtaining the transport configuration of the cooler (FIG. 10A).A stabilizing foot plate 1122 pivots from the platform 1102 to abut theground below the telescoping handle for stabilizing the cooler as thepiston portion 1110 is manually forced into and from the cylinderportion 1112 in hand pumping the telescoping handle to inflate thecontainer 1108.

A cargo receiving area 1118 is defined between the container 1108, theplatform 1102, and a retaining member 1120. The cargo receiving area1118 is useful for receiving an item for ease in transport such as, forexample, a folding chair, a shade umbrella, a beach blanket and towels,fishing equipment, and/or other gear. This is especially convenient fortransporting items from a car to a sunny spot on the beach. Theretaining member 1120 pivots toward the lid 1116 for minimizing theoverall outer dimensions of the cooler 1100 when the storageconfiguration is obtained (FIG. 10B). A rigid carry-handle portion 1124of the platform 1102 is useful for carrying the cooler when the storageconfiguration is obtained.

A third embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 11A-11B.In this embodiment, the inventive travel cooler 1200 is configurableinto an transport configuration as shown in FIG. 11A, and a storageconfiguration as shown in FIG. 11B. The cooler 1200 includes a platform1202 having wheels 1204 and wheels 1206. A cooler container 1208 is of asoft construction capable of folding in obtaining the storageconfiguration in this embodiment. For example, the soft constructionoptionally comprises a pliable foam wall encased in durable woven nylonfabric. One or more substantially moisture impermeable layers arepreferably included in the soft construction for retaining fluid such aswater from melting ice within the container 1208.

A telescoping handle 1212 serves as a guide handle in directing, pushingand pulling the cooler about in its travels. A cargo receiving area 1218is defined between the container 1208, the platform 1202, and aretaining member 1220. The retaining member 1220 pivots toward the lid1216 for minimizing the overall outer dimensions of the cooler 1200 whenthe storage configuration is obtained (FIG. 11B). The cooler 1208 isconfigured from the transport configuration (FIG. 11A) to the storageconfiguration (FIG. 11B) as a framework of the cooler is collapsed. Incollapsing the framework, a guide 1230 travels along an arcuate rail1232 while a swing-arm 1234 attached to and traveling with the guiderotates about a pivot point proximal or concentric with the center ofthe rear wheel 1206. The framework is optionally constructed ofaluminum.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 12. Inthis embodiment, a cooler 1300 has a container 1302 and an extendableand retractable retaining member 1304. The retaining member 1304 has arail 1308 that is received by a channel 1310 of the container 1302. Therail 1308 is positionable along the channel for adjustment of theposition of the retaining member 1304 relative to the container 1302.The cooler is shown in FIG. 12 having obtained an extended configurationwherein the retaining member 1304 is disposed at distance from thecontainer 1302 to define an open storage area of the storage receptacle.The cooler is configurable also into a range of retracted configurations(not shown) by disposition of the rail 1308 along the channel 1310bringing the retaining member 1304 closer to the container therebyreducing the size of the open storage area defined by the storagereceptacle. A bottom rail 1311 of the retaining member 1304 also isreceived within a bottom portion of the container 1302 in retracting ofthe retaining member 1304. The wheels 1312 of the cooler 1300 travelrelative to the container 1302 with the retaining member 1304 as therail 1308 is disposed along the channel 1310. A telescoping handle 1316serves as a guide handle in directing, pushing and pulling the coolerabout in its travels.

A fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 13. In thisembodiment, a cooler 1400 has a container 1402 and an extendable andretractable retaining member 1404. The retaining member 1404 has rails1408 and a base member or rails 1411 that are received by respectivechannels of the container. The cooler is shown in FIG. 13 havingobtained a fully retracted configuration wherein the retaining member1404 is disposed proximal the container 1402. The cooler is configurablealso into a range of extended configurations (not shown) by spacing thestorage receptacle from the container. The wheels 1412 of the cooler1400 travel relative to the container 1402 with the retaining member1404 as the cooler is configured between the extended configuration andretracted configuration. A telescoping handle 1416 serves as a guidehandle in directing, pushing and pulling the cooler about in itstravels.

A sixth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 14A. Inthis embodiment, a retaining member in the form of a storage bracket1500 is attachable to a wheeled cooler 1502 as shown, for example, inFIG. 14B. In this illustrated example, the retaining member 1500 has aretention clip 1504 that abuts an interior wall of the cooler such thatthe retaining member 1500 generally hangs from the side edge of thecooler 1502. As shown, the retaining member 1500 comprises a generallyplanar material bent or formed into a generally J-shape profile havingthe retention clip 1504 disposed at the “top” of the “J” with the bottomof the “J” providing the cargo receiving area.

1. A travel cooler, comprising a wheeled platform and an insulatedcontainer configured to be selectively coupled to and uncoupled from thewheeled platform, the wheeled platform comprising a base, a plurality ofwheels mounted to the base for rolling movement of the platform and afirst coupling component fixedly disposed on the base, and the insulatedcontainer including a second coupling component fixedly disposed on thecontainer; wherein the first and second coupling components aredisengaged from one another when the insulated container is uncoupledfrom the wheeled platform; wherein the first and second couplingcomponents are disposed in interlocking engagement when the insulatedcontainer is coupled to the wheeled platform, whereby the insulatedcontainer is securely coupled to the wheeled platform in fixeddisposition relative thereto for safe transportation on the wheeledplatform; wherein the base defines a container receiving recess withinwhich a bottom portion of the insulated container is received when theinsulated container is coupled to the wheeled platform.